Compare
Buffer vs Metricool
What each one costs, which platforms each lists, and who each suits, read from their own pricing pages.
Last updated 30 September 2026
The short answer
Choose Buffer if
You need TikTok, Pinterest or Google Business Profile, or paying per channel suits the way you work.
Choose Metricool if
Reporting and competitor analysis matter as much to you as posting.
Buffer vs Metricool at a glance
| Buffer | Metricool | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | 14 days on paid plans | Not listed on its pricing page |
| Platforms listed | 11 | 10 |
| API and MCP | API listed | API and MCP listed |
| Approvals | Listed | Listed |
| Inbox for comments and messages | Listed | Listed |
| Pricing page read | 30 September 2026 | 30 September 2026 |
How Buffer and Metricool differ
- Both have a free plan: Buffer (up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel at a time, 1 user, 30 days of insights) and Metricool (1 brand, 20 posts a month, 30 days of analytics, 5 competitor profiles; LinkedIn and X not included).
- Buffer lists Mastodon, which Metricool's pricing page doesn't.
- Metricool's pricing page lists an MCP server for AI assistants; Buffer's doesn't mention one.
Buffer vs Metricool pricing
Buffer: Priced per channel in US dollars; the rate per channel drops as you add channels. Yearly billing saves about 2 months. Metricool: US dollars as shown; monthly price, with the yearly-billed price in brackets (yearly saves up to 24%).
| Buffer | Metricool | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel at a time, 1 user, 30 days of insights | 1 brand, 20 posts a month, 30 days of analytics, 5 competitor profiles; LinkedIn and X not included |
| Free trial | 14 days on paid plans | Not listed on its pricing page |
| Buffer Essentials / Metricool Starter | From $6 per channel a month ($5 billed yearly), 1 user, unlimited posts, advanced analytics | From $25 a month ($20) for up to 5 brands, $45 ($36) for up to 10; unlimited posts, PDF and PowerPoint reports |
| Advanced | From $67 a month ($53) for up to 15 brands, $107 ($85) for 25, $210 ($159) for 50; team and client management, post approval | |
| Custom | Custom number of brands and a dedicated account manager |
Main plans shown. All Buffer plans · All Metricool plans · Sources: buffer.com/pricing (and its pricing.md) (read 30 September 2026) and metricool.com/pricing (read 30 September 2026).
Platforms: Buffer vs Metricool
- Both list Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, X, Threads, TikTok, Pinterest, Bluesky and Google Business Profile.
- Only Buffer lists Mastodon.
| Platform | Buffer | Metricool |
|---|---|---|
| Buffer: listed | Metricool: listed | |
| Buffer: listed | Metricool: listed | |
| YouTube | Buffer: listed | Metricool: listed |
| Buffer: listed | Metricool: listed | |
| X | Buffer: listed | Metricool: listed |
| Threads | Buffer: listed | Metricool: listed |
| TikTok | Buffer: listed | Metricool: listed |
| Buffer: listed | Metricool: listed | |
| Bluesky | Buffer: listed | Metricool: listed |
| Mastodon | Buffer: listed | Metricool: not listed |
| Google Business Profile | Buffer: listed | Metricool: listed |
Features: Buffer vs Metricool
| Buffer | Metricool | |
|---|---|---|
| AI | AI Assistant on every plan, including Free | AI social media assistant with 5–35 credits per brand a month by plan |
| API and MCP | API access on every plan (1–5 keys, 3,000–15,000 requests a month) | Metricool MCP on every plan including Free; API (Zapier, Make) from Advanced |
| Team and approvals | From $12 per channel a month ($10 billed yearly), unlimited team members, access levels, approval workflows | Not listed on its pricing page |
| Inbox | Community inbox for comments on every plan | Yes |
| Analytics | Not listed on its pricing page | Not listed on its pricing page |
Questions
Is Buffer free?
Yes. Buffer's free plan: up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel at a time, 1 user, 30 days of insights. For comparison, Metricool: yes. Metricool's free plan: 1 brand, 20 posts a month, 30 days of analytics, 5 competitor profiles; LinkedIn and X not included.
Is Metricool free?
Yes. Metricool's free plan: 1 brand, 20 posts a month, 30 days of analytics, 5 competitor profiles; LinkedIn and X not included. For comparison, Buffer: yes. Buffer's free plan: up to 3 channels, 10 scheduled posts per channel at a time, 1 user, 30 days of insights.
Do Buffer and Metricool support the same platforms?
Buffer lists 11 and Metricool lists 10; 10 are on both lists. Only Buffer: Mastodon.
Does Buffer or Metricool have an API or MCP for AI assistants?
Buffer's pricing page lists an API: API access on every plan (1–5 keys, 3,000–15,000 requests a month). Metricool's pricing page lists an API and an MCP server: Metricool MCP on every plan including Free; API (Zapier, Make) from Advanced.
What is the main difference between Buffer and Metricool?
Buffer suits you if you need TikTok, Pinterest or Google Business Profile, or paying per channel suits the way you work. Metricool suits you if reporting and competitor analysis matter as much to you as posting. On platforms: only Buffer lists Mastodon.
Is there an alternative to both Buffer and Metricool?
Yes. Dripost posts to Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, X and Threads, is priced per client with a free plan, lets clients approve from a link with no login, and gives you a link to every post once it is live.
We're not affiliated with Buffer and Metricool. Facts about them come from their own pricing pages, read on 30 September 2026, and may have changed since.